Amarillo Medical Center Getaway: Days Inn Comfort & Convenience!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your typical cookie-cutter hotel review. We're diving deep into the Amarillo Medical Center Getaway: Days Inn Comfort & Convenience! and, let me tell you, it's been… an experience. Let's get messy, shall we?
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- Title: Amarillo Days Inn Review: A Chaotic But Comfy Getaway Near the Medical Center
- Keywords: Amarillo hotel, Days Inn, Medical Center Amarillo, Accessible hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Breakfast, Reviews, Cleanliness, Comfort, Convenience, Amarillo lodging
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Amarillo Medical Center Getaway: Days Inn. We dissect accessibility, amenities (pool! breakfast!), cleanliness, and the potential for a surprisingly decent stay. Prepare for opinions!
Accessibility:
Alright, first things first: accessibility. This is crucial, especially given its proximity to the medical center. (Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator) The good news? There's an elevator, which is a HUGE relief. I've hauled my suitcase up flights of stairs before, and let me tell you, it's not a good look. Didn't personally need wheelchair access, thank goodness, but from what I saw, they seemed to have thought about it. Wide doorways, accessible bathrooms. Kinda gives you a warm feeling in the chest, knowing people with mobility challenges can actually get around. (Not mentioned: The actual level of compliance with ADA guidelines. Needs more information here)
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges:
Okay, this is where the picture gets a little… blurry. (On-site accessible restaurants / lounges) There's a restaurant, yes. But "accessible" within the restaurant? That's a question for the ages. There were tables, chairs, food… and people. But was it thoughtfully designed to allow for wheelchair maneuvering or other accessibility needs? Didn’t investigate that deeply, frankly, since I just grabbed a quick bite and scurried back to my room. (See "Dining, Drinking, and Snacking" section later for more on that culinary adventure.)
Internet Access & Related Shenanigans:
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Oh, the internet. The lifeblood of a modern traveler. And, thankfully, the Days Inn mostly delivers. Free Wi-Fi? Check! In all rooms? Double-check! I mean, who doesn't need Wi-Fi in their room? My life is now a meme if I can't scroll, so thank GOD. It was… mostly reliable. There were moments, late at night, when it seemed to crawl along at a snail's pace. Probably everyone else was binge-watching something on Netflix, which is a hazard of hotel life. (Or maybe it was just a glitch in the matrix. I do overthink things, as I suspect you’re noticing.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax:
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Okay, this is where the "Days Inn Comfort & Convenience" slogan gets… ambitious. Let's be real: this isn't the Four Seasons. There is an outdoor swimming pool! (Oh, glorious swimming pool!) Which, let me tell you, was the best part of my stay. After a long day, there's nothing quite like sinking into that cool water and watching the sun go down. It's not a "pool with a view" of, like, the Aegean Sea or anything, more of a… view of the parking lot, BUT it was clean, the water was the perfect temperature, and I needed it. I'm quite prone to relaxation, with the right circumstances, and I was sold. The rest of the "relaxing" elements? Not really here. No spa, no sauna, no steam room. The fitness center? I saw it. Briefly. Looked like your basic hotel-gym setup. Treadmill, elliptical, some weights. I'm more of a "Netflix and Chill" kind of gal when it comes to relaxing, anyway, so no biggie.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Good, The Bad, and the Sanitized
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. Alright, let's talk Covid-era hoteling. The Days Inn DOES seem to be taking things seriously. I saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Individually wrapped food items at breakfast (more on that later). The staff were masked up, and seemed to be trying to adhere to the safety protocols. So, big points there. But here's the thing that I couldn't shake: the feeling of it being… a little too clinical. Like, they’re trying so hard to be ultra-sterile that it loses a bit of the warmth and welcoming feel. I don't like being cold. I like… kindness. And although the hotel staff seemed very kind, it was difficult to tell with masks and social distancing. I get it, necessary… but I need a hug (not literally, the metaphorical kind)!
And the room? Honestly, it felt clean. Like, squeaky-clean! I'm not sure if they were blasting it with the anti-viral stuff and then wiping it down with unicorn tears or what, but I slept soundly, without the usual hotel-room-germ-related paranoia sneaking in. I didn’t see any… questionable stains. Big win.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet Saga
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Ah, the breakfast. The holy grail of hotel stays. The promise of free food! It was… a mixed bag. Yes, there was a breakfast buffet. (Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop). Although, given the current circumstances, "buffet" is probably stretching it a bit. It was more like a… controlled buffet. You lined up (socially distanced, of course) and pointed at what you wanted. Think pre-wrapped muffins, hard-boiled eggs, some sad-looking fruit, and, of course, the ever-present (and slightly questionable) sausage links. Coffee was hot, and the staff was doing their best. But, honestly? It wasn't a culinary masterpiece. I filled up, but it wasn't the kind of breakfast you write home about. The coffee, thank GOD, was hot. I'm a simple woman.
Services and Conveniences: Did They Think of Everything?
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. Okay, so the Days Inn… has lots of services. The "convenience store" was basically a vending machine loaded with snacks and overpriced toiletries. Daily housekeeping kept the room tidy and the towels fresh, which is always appreciated. Contactless check-in/out was streamlined and easy. I didn’t use any of the business facilities, but they were there. So, you know, if you need to Xerox something, you're covered. I didn't need a doorman, but a friendly guy did help me with my luggage. I appreciated that. These are necessary luxuries.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Maybe…
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. Not really sure what to say here. The lack of real amenities for kids is disappointing. No playground, no game room, no special kids's meals. So, if you're traveling with little ones, prepare to entertain them yourself.
Access: Good, But Imperfect
**Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor,
Baymont by Wyndham Duncan: Spartanburg's BEST-KEPT Secret Hotel?
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's color-coded travel itinerary. This is a Days Inn in Amarillo, Texas, survival guide, painted in neon-sign-faded hues of cheap coffee and existential dread. We’re going to get REAL. And by real, I mean, probably break down at the sight of a misplaced continental breakfast muffin.
Days Inn by Wyndham Amarillo - Medical Center Amarillo (TX) - A Human's Guide to Staying Alive (and Maybe, Just Maybe, Enjoying It)
Day 1: Arrival, Doubt, and the Glorious (And Potentially Dangerous) Promise of Texan Air
- 1:00 PM: Land at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA). Okay, first impressions? It's… well, it’s Amarillo. I swear, the air here feels different. Thicker. Like you could eat it. The sheer immensity of the sky above gives me a weird mix of awe and the uncomfortable feeling I'm about to be swallowed whole. I mean, look at it!
- 1:45 PM: Okay, where's that rental car? (Dramatic pause. I forgot to book one. Cue frantic phone calls, promises of "guaranteed prices" that somehow always magically double, and the sinking feeling of being completely unprepared). Found one, finally! Pray for me, I'm not a fan of driving.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in at the Days Inn. The exterior? Standard issue roadside motel, but the lobby… oh, the lobby! Feels like someone threw a beige and brown color palette at a wall and called it design. But hey, at least the AC is working (fingers crossed!). The front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he’d seen some things. Probably mostly tourists trying to negotiate prices.
- 3:00 PM: Room. Okay, clean (ish). The TV is old, but hey, got a remote! I'll take it. The bed… seems like it’ll swallow me whole. Let's say "Firm". The smell of Febreze is doing its best to fight off the lingering scent of… something I can't quite place. Maybe regret?
- 3:30 PM: The Pool! No, I'm not going into the motel pool. It's too cold and I'm not sure how sanitary. The pool does feel like the site of a crime. Not a bad crime, just a petty, forgetable one.
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Attempt to "relax." Read a book. (Spoiler alert: I can't. I will definitely procrastinate). Wander aimlessly. Contemplate ordering room service. This is where the real work begins; actually relaxing. It's harder than it sounds. Especially in an unfamiliar bed in a hotel room that feels like a portal to another dimension. I'm already missing my cat.
- 6:30 PM: Hunger pangs. Decide against room service (see: "regret-scented atmosphere").
- 7:00 PM: The Big Texan Steak Ranch! (Yes! the one with the 72-ounce steak challenge) Okay, let's get this out of the way: I'm not even attempting the challenge. I'm here for the atmosphere. The sheer, unadulterated Texanness of it all. The waitresses with their massive hair, the live music that’s a bit… well, let's just say "enthusiastic," and the other patrons who are genuinely trying to eat a whole cow. The sheer commitment these people have is admirable. I opted for a sane-sized steak, which I proceeded to over-analyze while eating. Wondering if I'm doing this right. How do you order? Why is the bread buttered like that? Is this the meaning of life? (Probably not, but a good steak is definitely a contender).
- 9:00 PM: Stagger back to the Days Inn, feeling like I’ve ingested half of Texas. This is where I feel it. The exhaustion. The good food. The strange, weird beauty of it all.
- 9:30 PM - Midnight: Stare at the ceiling, unable to switch off thoughts, wondering about the meaning of life, the point of my trip, and what kind of monster lurks in the vending machine.
Day 2: Coffee (or Its Absence), Cadillac Ranch, and the Dangers of Roadside Attractions
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Maybe. The bed is determined to keep me imprisoned. Then, attempt to locate the "complimentary" breakfast. (See: Expectations Management).
- 7:30 AM: The "breakfast". This is a disaster. Possibly the worst part of my stay. Pre-packaged muffins that look like they've been through a nuclear winter and coffee so weak it barely registers as liquid. My attempts to be a "morning person" fall flat. Time for a coffee run. I'm dying inside.
- 8:00 AM: Cadillac Ranch. Okay, this is cool. Actually, it's more than cool, it's fantastic! Seeing it in person is really something. Standing there and getting to spray paint a car is everything. The smell of spray paint and the feeling of being a rebel is something. So many other people are out there, getting along. I feel a deep sense of kinship with all the people there. It’s a testament to human creativity, and the enduring appeal of bizarre public art. And it's free! Always a pro.
- 9:30 AM: Drive-by the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. I'm not going in. Too tired and I don't hike.
- 10:00 AM - Noon: The Driving. This is the part I hate the most. I'm not a fan of driving. I hate driving. I'm not a fan of driving. I start to feel like I'm just a drone carrying out preprogrammed commands. I'm pretty sure I'm not programmed though. I hate driving.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a random diner. The food? Alright. The waitress? A true Texas character, who knows all the local gossip. She has a story for everything, she seems unfazed by anything. I tip her well because she's keeping the spirit of Texas alive, one plate of mashed potatoes at a time.
- 1:00 PM- 5:00 PM: "Relax" again. More like, stare at the ceiling. Reading. Napping. Wishing I was a cat.
- 5:00 PM: Decide to order some food.
- 6:00 PM: Watch whatever is on TV. Another moment of "reflection". More like, overthinking. Starting to feel the isolation.
- 9:00 PM: Bed.
- 9:30 PM - Midnight: Stare at the ceiling, unable to switch off thoughts, wondering about the meaning of life, the point of my trip, and what kind of monster lurks in the vending machine.
Day 3: Farewell, Amarillo (and the Days Inn of My Soul)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast round 2. The same, terrible muffins. My soul is slowly crumbling.
- 7:30 AM: Check out. The front desk guy looks as though he has more than a full day ahead of him. I envy him.
- 8:00 AM: Head to the airport.
- 9:00 AM: Arrive at the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Fly home.
- 2:00 PM: Arrive back home.
Okay, so it wasn't perfect. It wasn't even particularly glamorous. But it was real. It was messy. It was funny (hopefully). It was full of unexpected moments. And, most importantly, I survived. And maybe, just maybe, I'll remember this trip someday. And maybe, I'll return. Probably not to the Days Inn. But maybe.
Hyatt Place San Jose: Your Dream Silicon Valley Getaway Awaits!
So, like, what *is* the Amarillo Medical Center Getaway? Is it a real thing?
Yep! It's basically a package deal, or at least, the Days Inn *wants* you to think it is. It's *near* the Amarillo Medical Center. The "Getaway" part is... you try to get away from the hospital, right? Probably with a good bill. Look, being near a hospital, especially if you're, say, helping a family member or getting treatment yourself, *sucks*. So, the Days Inn offers a little… respite. Think of it as a slightly better version of the waiting room. Honestly, I'm pretty sure the "getaway" part is purely aspirational marketing. But hey, a bed is a bed when you're running on fumes and hospital cafeteria coffee.
Is it actually comfortable and convenient? 'Cause that's kind of a big promise.
"Comfortable and convenient," eh? Well, let's just say the Days Inn isn't the Four Seasons. The comfort level... varies. I stayed there once when my Aunt Carol had a... *rather lengthy* stay at the Medical Center. God bless her, she’s a tough cookie. The bed? Not the worst. The pillows? Let's just say I've slept on better. The convenience? Okay, that's where they *do* deliver. It's close. Super close. You’re talking a five-minute walk (maybe less if your loved one’s in distress and you're practically sprinting, which, unfortunately, becomes a skill). So, yes, convenient. Comfortable? Pray you get a room that's been recently... well, *treated*. And don’t, for the love of all that is holy, forget the earplugs. Ambulances and sirens are a symphony of joy at 3 AM.
Are there any amenities? Free breakfast, maybe? Don’t make me laugh.
Oh, the breakfast. The hallowed, often-lamented, free breakfast. Okay, so expectations need to be set to "bare minimum survival mode." Think: stale, store-bought muffins, instant coffee that tastes vaguely of sadness, and maybe, just maybe, some overripe bananas that look more like they’ve been through a war. I remember one time, the "scrambled eggs" – I use the term *very* loosely – were positively *luminous*. My Aunt Carol, bless her heart, and her always ready comment: "Looks like someone used too much highlighter in that batch." This is a moment I will treasure forever. There's usually a waffle maker. Use it. It’s your best weapon against all that mediocrity. Plus, a small pool that may or may not be a petri dish of unknown substances, depending on the time of year. But hey, at least it exists, right? You could always pack your own food, which I *highly, highly* recommend.
The location? Is it totally safe? And how far from the medical center itself?
Safety? Well, it's near a *hospital*, and Amarillo, Texas. That’s about as much info as I can give you. It's not the worst part of town, but I wouldn't go wandering around alone at 2 AM. Trust your gut, you know? As for distance, and as mentioned before, it's a *short* walk from the medical center. Seriously, short. Like, you could probably do it blindfolded (though I wouldn't recommend it). You're literally saving yourself a ton of time and stress… assuming you avoid the lure of the drive-thru, which, believe me, will whisper sweet nothings of onion rings during those late-night hospital runs. You've been warned.
What's the deal with the staff? Are they helpful?
The staff… okay, here's where the gamble really begins. Sometimes, you get a gem: a kind soul who’s seen it all and will offer you a sympathetic ear. Other times, you get someone who seems like they'd rather be anywhere else, and frankly, I don't blame them. Remember, these folks are likely dealing with a constant stream of stressed, worried, exhausted people. Patience is a virtue, and you'll need it! My experience? Mixed. Mostly polite. Sometimes, they'll magically have an extra blanket when you desperately need one. Other times, they’ll look at you like you’re interrupting their life by simply existing. You'll have to see for yourself. Be nice. It goes a long way. Unless you're dealing with a true nightmare, then... maybe go full Karen. It's a gamble.
I'm worried about the noise. Any advice for dealing with it?
Oh, the noise. Prepare yourself. Sirens at all hours. Ambulances. Loud motorcycles. And, depending on the room you get, the air conditioner could be older than dirt and louder than a jet engine. Earplugs are non-negotiable. Pack them. Seriously. Bring two pairs. One for you, one for anyone you end up sharing a room with. If you're a light sleeper, consider a white noise machine or download a white noise app on your phone. The constant thrum of the hospital's HVAC system, the occasional door slam, the distant chatter... trust me, you'll need all the help you can get. I’ve learned to sleep through a bomb, but even I struggled at the Days Inn. Seriously, the noise is a real thing.
Anything else I should know? Hidden gems? Traps to avoid?
Okay, here’s the lowdown. First off, scope the room out *thoroughly* when you arrive. Check for cleanliness (or lack thereof.) My Aunt Carol (again, she’s the best), found a hair in the shower once that resembled a tiny, curly, lost lamb. Make sure the TV works, because you're going to be watching a lot of TV. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, even if it’s spotty. Explore the local area for cheap eats, because you’re going to need a good meal and you can avoid the hospital cafeteria food. And for the love of all things holy, pack snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. Seriously. You'll need them. And try to bring a friend because it can feel lonely. Mostly, lower your expectations. This isn't a luxury resort. It's a place to crash when you're emotionally drained. And remember *why* you're there. That’s the most important thing to keep in mind.
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